THE REGIONAL CLUB LEAGUE

1. THE REGIONAL CLUB LEAGUE A Legacy of Excellence

2. Table of Contents What is the RCL?..................…………………………….. Our Clubs….………………………………………………………... The RCL Difference………………………..…………………. The National Championship Series………………... Our Structure…….………………………………………………….. Washington Youth Soccer………………………………... Elite Player Development………………………………….. Alumni.……..……………..………………………………………... Development Partners……...…………………………….. Why Join WYS?………………………………………………….. Our Roots…………………………………………………………... What We Stand For…………………………………………... Our Members…………………………………………………….. Testimonials……………………………………………………... Contact……………………………………………………………... Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

3. We Are the Regional Club League... ...an elite youth soccer organization offering the most robust level of competitive league play for young athletes in the Pacific Northwest. Our teams compete both regionally and nationally with top tier clubs from around the country. A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

4. Our Clubs Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League The RCL is made up of the 19 most competitive youth soccer clubs in the state. These are the best and biggest clubs in Washington. Each RCL club has exclusive access to the highest level of competition.

5. What Makes the RCL Different? We’re working to build a development framework that goes beyond the pitch to emphasize both competitive spirit and personal growth. This unique approach combined with a longstanding commitment to excellence has firmly established RCL as one of the top-tier youth soccer leagues in the country. From top-ranked coaching slates, strategic brand partnerships, an extensive alumni network, and access to the most prominent national competitions, RCL provides players with all the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League

6. The National Championship Series The Regional Club League as a member of Washington Youth Soccer has the opportunity to compete in the prestigious US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. This series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with an unparalleled opportunity to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. In 2018, over 600 coaches attended US Youth Soccer Regional and National Championship events, giving our players the exposure necessary to reach their full potential. Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League

7. Our Structure GLOBAL Through our affiliation with Washington Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer, the RCL is connected directly to US Soccer, and to FIFA, the international governing body of soccer. These partnerships have helped enrich our members and make RCL the best choice for young athletes. Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League FEDERATION NATIONAL STATE

8. Washington Youth Soccer As part of the Washington Youth Soccer network, the Regional Club League offers a legacy of elite player development with programs focused on the whole athlete including technical skills, leadership training, and educational development. Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League

9. Elite Player Development Program Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League Comprised of nearly 800 extremely talented players, a highly qualified coaching staff, and a dedicated administrative team, Washington Youth Soccer’s Elite Player Development program is one of the most comprehensive player development programs in the country. Players are hand-picked from the Regional Club League and provided with exclusive training opportunities, as well as the chance to compete nationally against other elite players from across the country. The EPD program is part of the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, which identifies a pool of players in each age group from which a regional team is selected to compete nationally and internationally. This means the Elite Player Development program provides a direct pathway to the top for our state’s best players. WYS has been granted permission to create two state teams for ODP, creating double the opportunities for male and female elite athletes from communities all across our state.

10. Alumni Deandre Yedlin - Newcastle United & USMNT Michelle Akers - Two Time World Cup Winner Michelle French - Olympic Silver Medalist Jordan Morris - Seattle Sounders & USMNT Kasey Keller - USMNT (Ret) Hope Solo - World Cup Winner Chris Henderson - MLS Cup Champion Brian Schmetzer - Sounders FC Head Coach Marcus Hahneman - USMNT (Ret) Kelyn Rowe - Sporting Kansas City Lamar Neagle - Seattle Sounders Paul Christensen - Atlanta United 2 Taylor Mueller - Charleston Battery Morgan Weaver - WSU - U23 WNT Summer Yates -- UW -- U23 WNT Abi Kim - Cal -- U23 WNT Washington Youth Soccer alumni are represented at every level of collegiate and professional play including MLS, the Premier League, and US and Canadian National Teams. Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League

11. Partnerships Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League Through its’ community and development partnerships with the state’s most successful professional soccer clubs, Washington Youth Soccer supports community projects, organizes coaching clinics and more.

12. Why Washington Youth Soccer? WE ARE PROVEN Washington Youth Soccer has served over 3.5 million members since its inception including 200,000 coaches, 50,000 referees, 700,000 volunteers. WE ARE RECOGNIZED Top athletes from the WYS have gone on to hold positions at some of the most well-known soccer organizations in the world. WE ARE GROWING WYS membership now tops over 105,000 across the state. We are athletes, families, and communities from every walk of life. WE ARE READY With an organizational structure that has been refined over almost five decades, we have built the strong foundation required for healthy and sustained growth. Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League

13. Our Roots Heritage isn’t just our history. It’s who we are. Over our fifty year history, we have earned a reputation as as one of the most competitive elite leagues in the country and become a powerful advocate for the advancement of soccer in the development of young minds and bodies across the US. Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League In the last 50 years, we: • Became the first state soccer association to form all girls teams. • Led a nationwide discussion on concussion education that resulted in the adoption of “return-to-play” policies in every state across the country. • Created the first youth advisory board focusing on leadership development opportunities. • Helped establish the Pacific Northwest as the capital of soccer in the United States. • Developed and implemented a top-class coaching education program with an emphasis on modern player development initiatives.

14. What Do We Stand For? The Washington Youth Soccer Brand Whether as a player, a coach, or a team, joining the Washington Youth Soccer family plays an important role in establishing your pedigree. From technical development to career readiness, we work with our members to ensure that we reflect as positively on you as you do on us. WYS is committed to an extensive integrated program with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League

15. Our Members Washington Youth Soccer membership is made up of players, their families, coaches, and clubs. We are one of the most diverse organizations in the country, including players from all backgrounds and ethnicities. Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League PLAYERS WYS offers the most robust infrastructure and resources to help players in Washington achieve their goals around the sport of soccer. FAMILIES WYS offers a successful pathway for developing valuable interpersonal relationship and other important life skills important for success. COACHES WYS offers a culture of contribution, where your voice matters and you’re encouraged to help build our future in real-time. CLUBS WYS offers the right balance of organizational support and autonomy. We work with each club to reach their goals, on and off the pitch.

16. Testimonials “ “ “ “A huge thank you to Washington Youth Soccer for kick-starting my days as a player, and continuing to develop a pathway of growth for all those who aspire to give back to the game through coaching.” —Michelle French,Class of 2019 WYS Hall of Fame Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League “Playing in the Washington Youth Soccer system including the Regional Club League helped build my confidence and encouraged me to take on the biggest challenges in the sport. I am grateful and lucky.” —Deandre Yedlin, Newcastle United, EPL , US National Team, former Seattle Sounders FC “The Regional Club League has provided my children with a clear pathway to improve, enjoy and succeed. We are fortunate that we can be part of one of the best league programs in America.” —Jane M., Parent

17. Contact Washington Youth Soccer 7100 Fort Dent Way, Ste. 215 Tukwila, WA 98188 1-877-424-4318 (Toll Free) (253) 4-SOCCER (476-2237) (206) 420-1532 Fax Washington Youth Soccer The Regional Club League For more information about Washington Youth Soccer, please visit our website at www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org